Rubber bristled toothbursh



Dec. 17, 19- L c. M. CAMPBELL 2,225,331

RUBBER BRISTLED TOOTHBBUSH Filed Oct. 18, 19:58

y .1 I EL 2 {9F I INVENTOR Patented 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE RUBBER nms'rmnroornnausn Qharles M. Campbell, New York, N. Y., assignmto Pauline Campbell, New York, N. Y.

Application October 18, was, sci-m No. 235,587

. '1 Claim. '(01. 15-188) This invention has for its objects to provide an economical, efiective, convenient and sanitary toothbrush, suitable not only for cleansing of the enamel surfaces of the teeth, but for mas- 5 sage of the gums without abrasion, and to provide readily replaceable rubber brush elements without the necessity for the use of stiileners, clamps and the like which has marked the practice heretofore. A toothbrush'embodying my 10 invention is especially suitable for childrens use,

providing as it does an efiective cleaning instrument, yet one incapable of abrading tender gums. Specifically, my invention consists of a handle wherein a rubber bristle pad is remov- 5' ably inserted, the whole constructed in such a manner that neither handle nor bristle pad nor the means of attaching said pad contain holes, channels, or the like for the unsanitary accumulation of foreign matter.

20 The method whereby these objects are accomplished, and the additional object of ease and economy of manufacture attained, will be readily apparent from the following description and by reference to the accompanying drawing:

25 Fig. 1 is a plan view of my toothbrush showing clearly its general appearance free from any slots, holes or other apertures, such openingsbeing unsanitary accumulators of foreign matter. Ibis figure shows in particular the handle A, the

30 bristle pad B, and indicates the undercut walls 0. The bristle structure in this figure and in Fig. 2 is the small three row child's size.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of my brush along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing a receptacle 5 having undercut bevelled walls C in said handle A with a bristle pad 13 whose base is bevelled complementary to the bevel of said walls C inserted therein. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the adult size tooth 4 brush embodying my invention. The bristle pad B thereof is larger, and has one more row of bristles, than the child's size shown in Figs. 1

and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the receptacle D in said handle A indicating a bevel undercutting of its walls C around its entire unbroken periphery, and showing plan convergence of its sides.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5-5 of 5 Fig. 4 revealing clearly the bevel undercutting of the walls C of the receptacle D.

Fig. 6 is an elevation 01' said rubber bristle pad B, the base E of which exactly conforms to the interior dimensions of said receptacle D. 55 Fig. '7 is a cross-section on the line 1-1 of receptacle D.

Fig. 8 showing the bevel of said base E of said pad B complementary to the undercut bevel of said walls C of said receptacle D.

Fig. 8 is anelevation of the bristle pad 3 showing an alternate form of bristle construction 5 r with wedge shaped bristle ends particularly adapted to gum massage.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9@ of Fig. 8 better revealingthe alternate gum massage bristle shape. 10

My toothbrush thus consists of a handle A of suitable dimensions having at one end a receptacle D with bevelled undercut walls 0 where by the area of the bottom of said receptacle D is greater than the areaof its opening, and a ilexible bristle pad B, the base E of said pad conforming exactly to the inside dimensions of said In the preferred embodiment of my invention the receptacle D is shown with plan convergent sides and uniform undercutting. It is to be understood that this embodiment is used by way of illustration only, and not as a limitation.

The user of my toothbrush is thus enabled by my invention to insert a pad into the receptacle by sliding the narrow end of said pad through the wide end of said receptacle, into firm 'contact with the narrow end of said receptacle, and then, by the natural elasticity of said pad to spring the wide end of said pad into position so within the wide end of said receptacle. The said pad is thus in firm and uniform contact with said receptacle around its entire periphery, affording no crevices for the lodging of foreign matter, and holding said pad securely against accidental dislodgement in ordinary use. Moreover, the user of my tooth brush may remove the used pad at any time by a sharp upward pull on the rubber bristles, enabling him to insert a fresh pad at his convenience. 40 The manufacturer of my toothbrush is enabled by my invention to supply a superior product to the trade at a very low cost since the two elements of my brush are so designed as to be adapted to molding. When my invention is embodied as shown, I prefer that the handle be molded of some suitable plastic material, pref erably Celluloid, and that the bristle pad be molded of rubber. I do not limit myself in any way to the precise embodiment of my invention here described, and, in particular, disclaim the form or shape of the bristle structure shown, as distinct from the form or shape of the bristle pad base which conforms to the disclosed construction of the receptacle in the handle. I am aware therein, and holding means to secure removably said flexible base to said head, said holding means consisting of the walls 0! said receptacle continuously undercut around the periphery of the same and adapted to engage the flexible base when the latter is inserted into said receptacle. the longitudinally opposite walls of said receptacle being convergent in plan to facilitate insertion and withdrawal or said flexible base into and from said receptacle.

CHARLES M. CAMPBELL. 

